Laser hair removal at Naiva uses the Candela GentleYAG, a 1064 nm laser whose energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicle and disables its ability to regrow hair, for long-term reduction over a series of sessions. The 1064 nm wavelength passes through the skin's surface to reach the follicle, which makes it suitable for darker skin tones.
The razor every other morning, the wax appointment every four weeks, ingrown hairs along the bikini line that take longer to settle than the hair took to grow back. For some patients it is a shadow on the upper lip by afternoon or coarse hair on the back or chest; for others, skin that reacts to shaving with bumps and darkened patches.
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Where you want to be
Hair grows in cycles, and only follicles in their active growth phase respond to any one session. That is why treatment is planned as a series, typically six sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart: each visit reaches a fresh set of active follicles, and the hair that returns is finer, lighter and sparser. The result is long-term reduction, a lasting decrease in the number of hairs that regrow, not a promise that every follicle is gone.
Settings are chosen for your skin tone, hair color and texture, and for any sun exposure or medications that affect light sensitivity, and each pulse is paired with cooling. After the series, touch-ups every six to twelve months address follicles that reactivate, often where hormones influence growth, such as the chin or jawline.
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What to expect
Arrive with the area shaved within the previous day so the energy reaches the follicle rather than hair above the skin. Your provider maps the area, fits protective eyewear and tests a small patch before proceeding. Each pulse feels like a quick snap, like a rubber band, followed by warmth, and the skin may look slightly pink for a few hours afterward.
The visit
10–60 minutes, by area. From about ten minutes for the upper lip to under an hour for the back or full legs, after a test patch.
First days
No downtime. Mild redness or small bumps settle within hours to a day, and treated hairs shed over the following one to three weeks.
Results
Visible reduction after two or three sessions. A typical series is six sessions, spaced four to eight weeks apart depending on the area.
Longevity
Long-term reduction. Touch-ups every six to twelve months maintain the result.
Who it tends to suit
Dark hair on lighter or medium skin, where the contrast lets the laser target the follicle precisely
Coarse hair on the underarms, bikini line, legs, back or chest that shaving or waxing keeps aggravating
Patients with recurring ingrown hairs or razor bumps
Darker skin tones, for which the 1064 nm GentleYAG is suitable
Those willing to complete a series and avoid tanning between sessions
Not the first choice for blonde, gray, red or very fine hair, which lacks the pigment the laser needs; electrolysis is usually the better path there
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Who performs it
Every new patient starts with an assessment of skin type, hair characteristics, medical history and expectations before a personalized treatment plan and settings are chosen. The plan is documented so each session builds on the last: the same area maps and a record of settings and response, adjusted as your hair changes.
Most patients describe each pulse as a quick snap of a rubber band followed by warmth, and the built-in cooling keeps it manageable. The upper lip and bikini line tend to feel sharper than the legs or arms; a topical numbing cream can be applied for sensitive areas.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical series is six sessions, spaced four to eight weeks apart, because only actively growing hairs respond at each visit. Hormone-influenced areas like the chin can need more, and touch-ups every six to twelve months maintain the result.
Does it work on darker skin?
Yes. The GentleYAG's 1064 nm wavelength passes through the skin's surface pigment to reach the follicle, which makes it suitable for darker skin tones. We still assess your skin type and test a small patch before treating.
Can I shave or wax between sessions?
Shaving is fine and is required the day before each session. Waxing, plucking and threading are not, because they remove the hair root the laser needs to target. Avoid tanning and self-tanner on the area for a couple of weeks before and after each visit.
Will the hair come back?
The accurate term is long-term reduction. After a full series, most patients see a substantial and lasting decrease in hair, and what returns is typically finer and lighter. Some follicles may reactivate over the years, particularly with hormonal changes, and a touch-up addresses them. Results vary by individual.
What areas can be treated?
Nearly any area with unwanted dark hair: upper lip, chin, jawline, underarms, arms, bikini line, legs, chest, back, abdomen and the back of the neck. The area immediately around the eyes is avoided.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
Cost depends on the size of the area, the number of sessions your hair and skin are likely to need, and whether more than one area is treated in the same visit. Pricing is set at your assessment.
